Derry Court: Seven months jail for assault on female

A man has been jailed at Derry Magistrate's Court today for a series of offences including three assaults on a female.

David Hamilton (27) of no fixed abode admitted a series of offences that occurred between December last year and April this year.

The court heard that on November 27 last year police received a report of an assault on a female. 

The injured party said that Hamilton had entered her property and pushed her to the ground then left but returned and pushed his way in and punched her in the ribs. 

The court then heard that on a third occasion he grabbed her by the throat and punched her on the head. 

The court then heard that on December 5 at 9.15pm police were called to Rockmills to a report of Hamilton trying to get into flats there.

He had thrown something at a window and threatened to throw a bottle. 

Hamilton told police he had thrown a lighter 'to attract attention' as he wanted a cigarette.

The court then was told about an incident on April 7 when Hamilton was found without his electronic tag. 

Finally the court was told of an incident on April 28 in Sackville Street when Hamilton could be seen interacting with another individual. 

There were another couple of males nearby and Hamilton pushed one of them causing him to fall into the road. 

The victim was said to have been 'blindsided' by the incident.

Defence counsel Sinead Rogan said this was 'an escalation' in her client's behaviour due to alcohol.

She said the defendant has a relevant record but had shown he could stay out of trouble. 

Hamilton was jailed for 7 months and a Restraining Order was put in place for three years.